Ex-employee accused of embezzling money from popular Fairhope restaurant

MOBILE, Ala. -- A former employee of a Fairhope martini bar and restaurant has been accused of embezzling from the company.

Leslie Wood, who served as assistant manager of Mateer's on Church
Street, pleaded not guilty this afternoon in Mobile to a federal bank
fraud charge. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison,
although her actual punishment under advisory guidelines likely would
be far less.

The indictment does not say how much money Wood is accused of
embezzling, but an attorney for Mateer's placed the figure at about
$110,000.

Wood's lawyer, Rick Yelverton, said his client had a company debit card that she used only for official business.

"What business can just miss $110,000?" Yelverton asked. "Her contention is that she was doing what she was authorized to do."

The restaurant's attorney, Robert Stankoski, said former owner Lisa
Field discovered discrepancies after she and her husband sold the
restaurant to new owners in October 2008.
(For a complete report, read Thursday's Press-Register.)